Local Christian theme park to open Michigan war memorial

Mary Drier, For the Tribune

Published
6:30 am EDT, Saturday, May 28, 2016

GAGETOWN — Lest we forget …

Pastor Duane Plonta and his wife, Wannetta, have created a memorial wall for Michigan veterans at their Noah’s Ark Christian Theme Park in Gagetown — to make sure the state’s deceased veterans are remembered.

“We put up 20 walls. The walls have 20,000 names of those from Michigan who gave their life so that we can be blessed with freedoms to live in our beautiful country of America,” said Plonta, 86. “The walls list all of those from Michigan who gave their life for our country from World War I to the Iraq wars. We don’t do enough to honor our veterans who gave so much.

“If necessary, and I pray not, more names can be added to the wall.”

The walls are at Noah’s Ark Park at 4330 Farver Road. The complex is about 1.5 miles southeast of the Elkton Road and Sebewaing Road intersection. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

The Plontas paid more than $80,000 out of their own pocket to create the memorial.

“My wife and I thought and prayed on this for two years. We had the money and decided to put the money to good use to help those who lost loved ones to war to heal. When we die, we can’t take the money with us,” Plonta said.

The names of the veterans are laser engraved on cherry wood and custom built by a Colorado company. There are about 1,000 names on each side of the plaques. Plonta built the wooden bases the plaques sit on. The display also includes a variety of donated uniforms and related U.S Service memorabilia.

“I would have loved to list every veteran in our country who died in service in all of the wars. There would be many, many names. It would be too costly and take up a lot of space so we just concentrated on Michigan veterans and the basic information about them,” Plonta said. “I wanted to include more information along with the name of the veteran on the wall, but that would have added another 12 walls and cost over $150,000.”

The walls are inside of a 2,000-square foot building. A door leads from the memorial walls to a 250-foot walkway lined with American Flags as well as flags representing each branch of the Armed Forces. The walkway goes to pavilions overlooking Lake Wannetta where visitors can picnic.

Even those who are used to dealing with honoring veterans are touched by Plonta’s memorial.

“I think it is amazing and great to see a fellow veteran care enough to create a memorial like this for other veterans and to do so without financial health,” said Tuscola County Veterans Administration Director Mark Zmierski. “It is a true commemoration of the brave men and woman who have stepped up generation after generation to service their country … and made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Zmierski says he has heard a lot about the memorial and plans to see it Monday.

While there is no charge to view the memorial, donations are welcome to help finance upkeep.

Plonta is a veteran of the Korean War. He served in the U.S. Army Third Division but didn’t see action. His four brothers also served their country. They had an uncle who was killed in WW II.

Plonta is an inventor who earns residuals which help him run his complex. The Plontas started to create their unique facility 26 years ago when they built the Farver Road Baptist Church. They also have a replica of Noah’s Ark. There are paddle boats available, catch and release fishing and children’s rides. Most activities are free. There is a $5.95 charge for those who want to spend the entire day.

Retirees are welcome to camp in exchange for mowing the lawn and helping with some other chores, Plonta said.